KR20100043990A - Computer system and method of reducing power consumption of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer system and a power saving method of the computer system. The present invention provides a power supply for supplying power only to a predetermined initial drive device at system startup; And a central processing unit 10 that executes a BIOS to perform initialization and test procedures for the initial driving units, wherein the power supply unit is initially driven from the central processing unit 10 during system operation. Optionally supply power to the component only if a power-up command is received for a component that is not included in the device. According to the power saving method of the computer system and the computer system according to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the number of peripheral devices that undergo initializing and testing in the system booting process to prevent power consumption and to reduce booting time. There is this.

Description

COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION OF THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a computer system and a power saving method of the computer system.

In general, a computer system operated by a specific operating system, a startup self-test that checks whether the various devices connected to the system operate normally, rather than operating as soon as the user supplies power to the system. (POST: Power On Self Test).

For example, in the case of a personal computer, the basic input / output system (BIOS: Basic Input / Otput System) is used to verify that the computer keyboard, RAM, disk drive, and other hardware works properly when the computer is powered on. In operation, a bio-test is performed. In this case, the BIOS is a kind of program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) provided in a main board of a computer, and controls the booting process with the control right of the computer until the operating system is operated.

Recently, as the function of a computer system is expanded, the capacity of a storage medium required for a computer to perform various functions is greatly increased, and users often configure additional storage media in the system in addition to the storage media basically configured in the system. . In addition, various storage media drivers may be provided in the system according to each storage media type. In addition, in order to implement various functions in a computer system, many types of input devices and output devices are often configured together in a system.

As described above, when various peripheral devices are provided in the computer system, the system booting time is lengthened while a lot of time is required to go through the initialization and testing process for each of the peripheral devices in the above POST process. In addition, since power is supplied to various peripheral devices from the booting process, system power consumption may increase.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent power consumption by minimizing the number of peripheral devices undergoing initialization and testing during system booting.

Another object of the present invention is to shorten the booting time by minimizing the number of peripheral devices undergoing initialization and testing during system booting.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a power supply for supplying power only to a predetermined initial drive device at system startup; And a central processing unit that executes a BIOS to perform initialization and testing of the initial driving units, wherein the power supply unit is not included in the initial driving unit from the central processing unit during system operation. Optionally supply power to the component only when a power-up command to the component is received.

The CPU may perform an initialization and test process for components not included in the initial driving device at the end of the computer system, and store the initialization and test results.

In addition, when power is supplied to a component that is not included in the initial driving device, the CPU may control the corresponding component by using pre-stored initialization and test result data of the corresponding component.

In this case, the initial driving device may include the central processing unit included in the computer system, a main memory device, one or more auxiliary memory devices, and a basic input / output device.

And the computer system comprises a plurality of auxiliary memory devices; One of the auxiliary memory devices configured as an initial driving device may store a bootstrap loader and an operating system.

Here, the central processing unit may store the initialization and test results in the auxiliary memory device set as the initial driving device.

In addition, the BIOS may be stored in the auxiliary memory included in the initial driving device.

In this case, the initial driving device may further include a nonvolatile storage medium in which the BIOS is stored.

On the other hand, the present invention comprises the steps of (A) the power switch of the computer system is turned on; (B) supplying power only to a predetermined initial driving device when the power switch is turned on in step (A); (C) initializing and testing the initial driving device; And (D) if an error does not occur during the initialization and testing of step (C), an operating system may be executed and the computer system may operate normally.

The initial driving device may include a central processing unit, a main memory, at least one auxiliary memory, and a basic input / output device of the computer system.

The power saving method may include: (E) generating a power supply command to at least one of the components not included in the initial driving device in a state in which the computer system is normally operated; (F) may further comprise the step of supplying power to the corresponding element in accordance with the command generation in step (E).

In addition, the power saving method further includes the step of controlling the corresponding component by using the initialization and test result data stored in advance for the corresponding component when (G) power is supplied to the corresponding component in the step (F). It may also be performed by.

The power saving method further includes (H) shutting off power supply to the corresponding component when data input or output is not detected for a predetermined time from the corresponding component powered in the step (F). It may also be performed.

Wherein the power saving method comprises the steps of: (I) detecting a shutdown command of the computer system; (J) initializing and testing a component that does not correspond to the initial driving device when the end command is detected in step (I); And (K) further storing the initialization and test results of step (J).

As described in detail above, according to the computer system and the power saving method of the computer system according to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

That is, power consumption can be prevented by minimizing the number of peripheral devices that undergo initialization and testing during system boot.

In addition, the power saving method of the computer system and the computer system according to the present invention has the advantage that the booting time can be shortened by minimizing the number of peripheral devices undergoing initialization and testing during system booting.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings a specific embodiment of a computer system and a power saving method of the computer system according to the present invention as described above will be described in detail.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the present invention, a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") 10. The CPU 10 is a main control means of the computer, and is responsible for the overall control of the computer, such as interpreting instructions, calculating data, and comparing data.

In addition, a North Bridge 20 is connected to the CPU 10. The north bridge 20 refers to a hardware or software module connected to the CPU 10 and used to connect a system component or a peripheral device requiring high transmission speed and system performance.

The computer is also equipped with a South Bridge 30. The south bridge 30 is indirectly connected to the CPU 10 via the north bridge 20 and is used to connect system components or peripherals that require relatively low transmission speeds and system performance. Or a software module.

The main memory device 22 is first connected to the north bridge 20. The main memory device 22 is a means for storing an operating system required to perform a task and a program and data to be processed. Play a role. The main memory 22 is generally composed of random access memory (RAM).

In addition, at least one graphic controller 24 is connected to the north bridge 20. The graphic controller 24 outputs image data to an image forming apparatus such as a monitor 26 which will be described later in accordance with a command of the CPU 10. The image data processed by the graphic controller 24 is output to the monitor 26, for which the monitor 26 is connected to the north bridge 20. Here, the monitor Two or more output devices such as 26 may also be provided.

Meanwhile, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 32 is connected to the south bridge 30. In this case, the BIOS 32 is substantially firmware or software stored in a nonvolatile memory means such as a read only memory (ROM) or a flash memory. Hereinafter, the memory means in which the BIOS is stored is also referred to as the BIOS 32. Explain.

The BIOS 32 is a collection of routines for driving an input / output device or a peripheral device in an operating system, and operates before the system operating system of the computer operates in the booting process of the computer to perform a booting process.

In addition, the south bridge 30 is provided with one or more auxiliary memory 34. The auxiliary memory device 34 may be a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, or the like as a storage means capable of almost permanently storing a program or data necessary for performing a function of the computer.

The auxiliary memory device 34 may be provided with one or more according to the number of interfaces provided in the computer. In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, three auxiliary memory devices (secondary storage devices # 1 to # 3) may be provided. (34a to 34c)) is illustrated.

The auxiliary storage device 34 may be a booting medium. Here, the bootable medium is a storage medium in which data related to booting is stored when the computer is initially started. The bootable medium includes an operating system kernel, which is the basis of the operation of the computer system, and a boot strap loader that loads the operating system kernel into the main memory 22. Is stored.

The bootable medium may be any of auxiliary storage devices provided in the computer, and the user may select the auxiliary storage device storing the bootstrap loader and operating system data as described above and set the auxiliary storage device as a booting medium. have. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the auxiliary storage device # 1 34a is selected as a booting medium.

The CPU 10 loads and executes the BIOS 32 into the main memory 22, and accordingly loads the bootstrap loader stored from the first sector of the auxiliary storage device # 1 34a set as the boot medium. The memory is transferred to the main memory 22, and the operating system kernel stored in the auxiliary memory device # 1 34a is transferred to the main memory 22 according to the execution result of the bootstrap loader.

When the operating system transferred to the main memory device 22 is executed, control of the computer system is given to the operating system, and the booting process is terminated.

Meanwhile, a basic input device such as a mouse 36 or a keyboard 38 is connected to the south bridge 30. In addition to the mouse 36 or the keyboard 38, various input / output means may be connected to the south bridge 30, which is represented by the peripheral device 40 as one.

The computer system is connected to various peripherals to the north bridge 20 and the south bridge 30 as described above. The peripheral device includes both storage media such as the auxiliary storage device 34 described above, and input / output devices such as a monitor 26, a mouse 36, a keyboard 38, and the like. In addition, various peripheral devices not illustrated are shown as one peripheral device 40, but the peripheral device 40 may be provided in various kinds, and the same type may be provided in plural.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, a power supply device (not shown) for supplying power to the computer is further provided. The power supply device supplies power to a circuit of the computer when the power switch of the computer is turned on.

In this case, the power supply device may selectively supply the entire computer system without supplying power, and which system components are supplied with power is preset in the power supply device.

Hereinafter, a booting method of a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention having the configuration as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating an initial driving step of a power saving method of a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 sequentially illustrates an operation step of the power saving method of a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the specific embodiment of the present invention, when the power switch of the computer is turned on, the power supply device supplies power to the initial driving device (S100).

Here, the system component that receives the power supply when the power supply is turned on to resume power supply from the power supply device is hereinafter referred to as an initial driving device.

In this case, the initial driving device is determined by a user or a manufacturer of the computer selecting the minimum components necessary for driving the computer system and performing basic functions. The CPU 10, the north bridge 20, the south bridge 30, the main memory device 22, the BIOS 32, and the auxiliary storage device # 1 34a are basically included in the initial driving device. Units related to data storage, movement, and processing within the system, as well as minimal components related to basic data output, such as the graphics controller 24 and the monitor 26, and the mouse 36 and the keyboard. It contains the minimum number of components associated with basic data entry, such as (38).

Here, when two or more output devices such as the monitor 26 are provided, only one of them may be designated as the initial driving device, which is the same also in the case of the input device.

As described above, when the power supply device supplies power only to a system component set as the initial driving device in step S100, the driving of the CPU 10 included in the initial driving device is supplied with power. At the beginning, the CPU 10 reads the BIOS program from the BIOS 32 and loads it into the main memory device 22 (S110).

The CPU 10 executes the BIOS program (S120) to initialize and test the initial driving devices (S130).

If an error occurs in any one or more of the initial driving devices during the initialization and testing of the initial driving devices in step 130 (S140), the CPU 10 stops the booting process.

However, when the initializing and testing process for the initial driving devices is normally terminated in step 130, the operating system kernel is loaded into the main memory device 22 in the set booting medium (S150).

Here, the booting medium is one of the auxiliary storage devices 34 provided with at least one, and is determined according to a user's or manufacturer's setting of the computer. As described above, when the plurality of auxiliary memory devices 34 are provided in the computer, only one auxiliary memory device 34 selected as the booting medium is included in the initial driving device, and the remaining auxiliary memory devices 34 are included in the initial driving device. They may be set not to be included in the initial drive device.

When the operating system kernel is loaded in the main memory device 22 in the 150th step S150, the CPU 10 accesses the operating system kernel loaded in the main memory device 22 and executes the operating system. This operation (S160).

As described above, when driving the system by supplying power only to the minimum necessary components necessary for data storage, movement, and processing, and the minimum input / output device required for input / output of commands and data, other initial devices not included in the initial driving device. A component is selectively driven only when that component is needed.

As shown in FIG. 3, after the power supply is started to the initial driving devices and a series of processes of operating the operating system are performed, the peripheral system not included in the initial driving device in a state in which the computer system normally operates. When a command to access a device is sensed or a user's command to use a peripheral device not included in the initial driving device is input, the peripheral device included in the computer system other than the initial driving device is required. In the case (S200), the power supply device supplies power to the peripheral device according to the control of the CPU 10 that senses this (S210).

Here, the peripheral devices not included in the initial driving device include the remaining auxiliary storage devices 34 that are not designated as the booting medium among the auxiliary storage devices 34, the monitor 26, the mouse 36, and the The peripheral device 40 and the like other than the basic input / output device designated as the initial driving device such as the keyboard 38 are included.

As such, when power is supplied to any one of the peripheral devices not included in the initial driving device in step 210 (S210), the peripheral device is driven by being supplied with power (S220).

In this case, data such as an initial setting necessary for driving the peripheral device according to the command of the CPU 10 or a test result indicating that the peripheral device can be normally operated may be stored in the auxiliary memory device 34 as the boot medium. 34) is previously stored in a non-volatile storage medium, such as the CPU 10 drives the peripheral device by utilizing the previously stored data.

That is, the data necessary for enabling the peripheral device to be driven only by resuming power supply to the peripheral device is previously stored in any one of the storage means included in the initial driving device of the computer. Such data is stored at the last power off before the computer is powered on.

Here, the S4 state of the power management according to the existing Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) standard (hybernation state) in order to enable the power supply device to drive the peripheral device without booting by resuming power supply to the peripheral device. When the power state of the system is resumed to the S0 state (normal driving state), the same as the case of utilizing the system state data stored in the hard disk when entering the S4 state.

That is, the rest of the system components not included in the initial driving device are initialized and tested for the corresponding components when the system is powered off, the results are stored in advance, and the system is powered on again. It is used when you want to drive.

As described above, in operation 230, the peripheral device is driven by using the stored data, and the peripheral device is utilized, but when the use of the peripheral device is completed or the access to the peripheral device is not detected for more than a predetermined time, The power supply to the peripherals can be cut off.

On the other hand, when the power-off command is detected in the state in which the system is operating normally as described above (S230), the CPU 10 utilizes the BIOS program or other programs to the remaining peripheral devices other than the initial driving device. Perform the initialization and test for (S240).

In operation S250, the initialization and test results are stored in the auxiliary memory device 34 set as the boot medium to be used to drive the corresponding peripheral device at the next system power-on (S250).

The rights of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, but are defined by the claims, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and adaptations within the scope of the claims. It is self-evident.

For example, as described above, the present invention is not applied only to a structure in which the bridge circuits such as the north bridge 20 and the south bridge 30 are connected to the CPU 10, but without a bridge circuit. The technical idea of the present invention is that the system power switch is turned on, such as a system having a different bridge circuit configuration than the above-described embodiment, power is supplied only to a predetermined initial driving device, and a booting process is performed, thereby reducing booting time and saving power. Other embodiments that are modified within it will be within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating an initial driving step of a power saving method of a computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart sequentially showing the operation steps of the power saving method of the computer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings **

10: CPU 20: North Bridge

22: main memory 24: graphics controller

26: Monitor 30: South Bridge

32: BIOS 34: auxiliary memory

36: mouse 38: keyboard

40: peripherals

Claims (14)

A power supply for supplying power only to a predetermined initial drive device at system startup; And And a central processing unit that executes a BIOS to perform initialization and testing procedures for the initial drive units: And the power supply selectively supplies power to a corresponding component only when a power supply command for a component not included in the initial driving unit is received from the central processing unit during system operation. The method of claim 1, The central processing unit, And performing initialization and testing of components not included in the initial driving device at the end of the computer system, and storing the initialization and test results. The method of claim 2, The central processing unit, And when power is supplied to a component that is not included in the initial driving device, controlling the corresponding component using previously stored initialization and test result data of the corresponding component. The method of claim 1, The initial drive device, And a central processing unit, a main memory unit, one or more auxiliary memory units, and a basic input / output unit included in the computer system. The method of claim 2, The computer system, A plurality of auxiliary memory devices; And a bootstrap loader and an operating system are stored in one auxiliary memory device configured as an initial driving device among the auxiliary memory devices. The method of claim 5, The central processing unit, And storing the initialization and test results in the auxiliary memory device set as the initial driving device. The method of claim 4, wherein In the auxiliary memory device included in the initial drive device, Computer system characterized in that the BIOS is stored. The method of claim 4, wherein In the initial drive device, And a nonvolatile storage medium storing the bios. (A) turning on a power switch of the computer system; (B) supplying power only to a predetermined initial driving device when the power switch is turned on in step (A); (C) initializing and testing the initial driving device; And (D) if the error does not occur during the initialization and testing of step (C), the operating system is executed, including the step of operating the computer system, characterized in that the power saving method of the computer system. 10. The method of claim 9, The initial drive device, And a central processing unit, a main memory, at least one auxiliary memory, and a basic input / output device of said computer system. The method of claim 10, The power saving method, (E) generating a power supply command to at least one of the components not included in the initial driving device in a state in which the computer system is normally operated; (F) a method for reducing power of a computer system, characterized by further comprising the step of supplying power to a corresponding component in accordance with the command generation in step (E). The method of claim 11, The power saving method, (G) when the power is supplied to the component in the step (F), the computer further comprises the step of controlling the component by using the initialization and test result data stored in advance for the component How to save power in your system. The method of claim 12, The power saving method, (H) if the data input or output is not detected for a predetermined time in the corresponding component powered in step (F), the computer further comprises the step of shutting off the power supply to the component How to save power in your system. The method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, The power saving method, (I) detecting a shutdown command of the computer system; (J) initializing and testing a component that does not correspond to the initial driving device when the end command is detected in step (I); And (K) further comprising the step of storing the initialization and test results of the step (J) is performed.

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